Tag Archives: Torah

October 7, 2024

The light that shines through the darkness

By davidgroen1

There are 2 impending anniversaries that weigh heavy on the hearts of Jews across the world.  One is today October 7th, and the other is October 24th.  A year ago, October 7th coincided with the celebration of the holiday of Simchat Torah in the State of Israel.  As we know, the events of that day were devastating.  This year October 24th is the day that coincides with Simchat Torah in Israel.  The mention of these 2 days is important and relevant in the discussion when we not only look back, but maybe more importantly, we look forward.

Remembering is part of the core values for every Jew with any degree of connection to the faith.  As Jews, we remember because we mourn, we remember because we honor, but maybe most importantly, we remember because we have no choice.  The joy of being Jewish goes hand in hand with the burden of being persecuted, often hunted, and far too often in history, expelled or killed.  And yet what might very well be the most amazing thing about our people, is that while empires have crumbled around us, often shortly after they came after us, we have endured for centuries. If we do not remember, we risk not seeing the signs of impending doom, and ultimate preventing devastation striking within our midst all over again.  On the surface it seems ominous and gloomy.  So why is it that I have never been more happy or proud to be Jewish than any other time in my life?

Last year on Simchat Torah in my synagogue here in America, we celebrated the holiday knowing part of what had taken place the day before in Israel.  Most of us were either deeply saddened, angrier than ever before, or both.  And yet in following the leadership, we danced.  We did so with heavy hearts, and at least speaking for myself I can say, I forced myself to do so, but we did so, nonetheless.  At that moment I not only did not know the reason why it was important, I had very little desire to do so whatsoever.  However, when I look back, and think of the months that followed, and the recovery of our collective psyche, I realize that reacting in one way above all, a Jewish way, was the one thing that would restore our optimism, and for those who may have lost it, our faith.

It is my belief that the root cause of anti-Semitism is the fact that as the Chosen People, Jews are the light of the world.  This by no means that every Jew is good, and it certainly does not mean that you have be Jewish to be good, but it means that the light that brightens and strengthens mankind, emanates from the Jewish people.  Those who wish to share in the light are welcome, and subsequently live in peace and friendship with Jews around the world. Those who do not wish to share in this light are mired in darkness.  A darkness that breeds hate, violence and destruction. It would explain why the empires that have fallen have done so without wiping the Jewish people off the planet.  Simply put, you can diminish the light to some degree, but when all is said and done, nothing can distinguish the flame that was lit by the Almighty.

So, this year when October 7th arrives, it might be most appropriate to remember with solemnity the horrors and tragedies that took place on that day, and then, 17 days later, when Simchat Torah falls, to celebrate with hope and promise. “Simchat Torah” is the “Joy of the Torah”, and it is meant to be celebrated with happiness and enthusiasm.  We see our brave soldiers as fighting and sacrificing for all the Jewish people around the world, and we have faith in their ultimate victory.  It will be our job to fight and win the spiritual battle.  By praying and atoning on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, and celebrating on Simchat Torah, we do our part in ensuring the enemy never achieves its goal of wiping us out.  We do our part in keeping that flame lit and using our light to illuminate the world.

Wishing all of you a good and sweet year.

Am Yisrael Chai

Never Again is Now!

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October 12, 2023

Why 45 years later, B’nei Akiva’s logo is showing to be so much more than just a slogan

By davidgroen1

For those who do not know, I will give you a brief and simple historical background. B’nei Akiva is an Orthodox & Zionist Jewish youth group in which boys and girls, later to become men and women, from all over the world, Israel and beyond, get together in celebration and solidarity. It was founded in 1929 and has over 125,000 members in over 42 countries. Each age group has what is called a Shevet, or in English, a tribe. Once you belong to a Shevet, you don’t change to another, you are part of that Shevet for life. B’nei Akiva’s slogan is 2 words. Torah ve’Avodah. Torah, which is for the Jewish people very literally the 5 books of Moses, but includes all forms of Jewish study and learning, and Avodah, work, or labor, the physical and supportive efforts needed to build the land of Israel and help the Jewish people.

On a more personal note, I am a proud and happy member of Shevet Amichai. When I was 13 and living in Philadelphia I flirted with a few B’nei Akiva events, meeting a few amazing people including the late Ari Horowitz of Blessed Memory. But it was not until I was 14, after my parents moved to Holland and I began to attend Hasmonean in the Hendon area of Northwest London, that B’nei Akiva (BA) became something so important to me that it would resonate with me till today. Little did I know that during that one lunch hour in school when I was approached by an older student and convinced to come to a BA event, that over 45 years later his younger brother would still be one of my best friends, as would be a number of other of my friends from Amichai. Socially, nothing has ever compared, and to this day, my 6 week BA Israel camp in 1978 is still the best summer of my life.

But today BA and what I can speak to specifically, Shevet Amichai, is so much more than just a gathering of men and women enjoying each other’s company whenever possible. It is an organization of comfort and support. With Israel going through what looks to be its worst crisis since its establishment in 1948, and the Jewish people under its greatest attack and continuing threat since the Holocaust, my friends from Amichai, many who have family, including children fighting in the IDF, Israeli Defense Forces, are stepping up with amazing commitment, resolve, and love. It is no surprise to me, since every time an individual in the group has experienced a crisis or a loss they are always there, but today the sense of responsibility for Israel and the Jewish people has never been on greater display. Their efforts are ongoing, practical and critical, and I have never been so proud and so honored to be part of Shevet Amichai.

If I am to call all of Israel my family, Shevet Amichai is my immediate family. I stand with you, I pray for you, and I love you.

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July 25, 2014

Remembering the Rally cry of my youth: Torah v’Avodah

By davidgroen1

Bnei_akiva_logoTo all those out there who have either been members of, or been exposed to the Jewish youth group B’nei Akiva, the title of this post will immediately strike you with what will most likely be a fond and warm recognition. Although the practice of my faith has a lot to be desired, the rallying cry of Torah v’Avodah seems more important to me today than maybe any other time in my life.

Some of you reading this will have shared some fun times with me when I was part of the organization as a teenager in Philadelphia and London and belonged to what was called, Shevet Amichai, literally the “Tribe of Amichai” based on the names given to each age group.  I have no trouble admitting my reasons for being a member were social more than anything else.  There were the few, such as the late great Ari Horowitz, or my dear friend Danny,  that seemed to be motivated by some idealism at that age, but for me it was simple.   It was about the girls and the fun gatherings of friends.

It’s been a long time since I’ve had anything to do with B’nei Akiva.  My last memory was one I should be somewhat ashamed of, but seeing as it was over 30 years ago and no one got hurt, I look back at it with more amusement than shame.  Me and 3 other friends, 2 from Dublin Ireland and one from Liverpool went to the small town of Petach Tikvah, right outside of Tel-Aviv, went to a B’nei Akiva gathering and falsely portrayed ourselves as the heads of branches.  Two in Dublin, one in Liverpool, and myself in London, where I was a member of the organization from 1976-1980.  It worked like a charm.  We achieved a degree of celebrity status for the day and each of us had dates with some of the cutest girls in the group for one very enjoyable summer Saturday night.  It was all in good fun, not all that serious, and went no further than that.

Today I think of B’nei Akiva, and being significantly more mature than I was 30 plus years ago, the 2 words that represent the group have a far greater importance than ever before.  Jewish unity is critical.  Everyone needs to do something during this very difficult time in our history.  It is my feeling that what makes the term Torah v’Avodah so poignant today is that no Jew who genuinely cares about the Jewish people and the State of Israel has an excuse not to at least choose one or the other.  If you are a dedicated and practicing Jew who follows the laws and listens to and studies Jewish teachings(TORAH), then you are strengthening the Jewish people.  If you question religious dogma or philosophically struggle with Jewish practice, that should not stop you from making some efforts or working (AVODAH) towards helping Israel and the Jewish people.  And which ever one you choose, unless it is both, I implore you to show respect towards those who choose the other.  For without unity we are lost.

And then there is that one lesson I learned from being part of B’nei Akiva even when I was just there for the girls.  That the future of the Jewish people is tied to the State of Israel.  Something all Jews need to realize today more than any other time in my lifetime.

Shabbat Shalom.

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